It was a place of black streets.  I did not think I'd ever seen this place before; obviously the ruin of some large city.  I could feel it stretching all around me but I was trapped here in these few city blocks.  The dark empty buildings were monstrous, the splintered, gaping doors like mouths thrown wide in silent screams.  Windows, their glass shattered and jagged, stared at me like eyes:  hideous destruction, a violence witnessed by useless dark street lamps that marched up streets and avenues and disappeared from my sight.

Why was I here?  I wanted to leave.  I wanted the light and warmth and safety of my apartment.  Here there was no light.  Only the intermittent moonlight guided my hesitant steps.  I shivered, looked up and foreboding coursed through me as I watched the thick and turbulent grey clouds race overhead.  Total blackness would envelope me soon.

Then I saw them, loping towards me like a silent pack of wolves.  The only sound I heard was the clatter of rubble occasionally disturbed by careless feet.  They seemed half dressed, pale bodies lumescent in the gloom.  Strange eyes, many, many pairs of strange eyes, fastened upon me, hard, uncaring and deadly.  I turned to flee.  My heart beat wildly.  Rational thought deserted me.  My legs would not obey:  I was rooted to the spot.  Any moment, they would be upon me.  I wanted to scream, though even hysterical with fear, I knew there was no one to hear me.  Still, I forced my body, pushed and pushed until I thought my chest would explode.  But my mouth would not open:  my teeth would not unclench and all I could manage were strangled sounds.

They surrounded me.  Still, I willed my escape as they squatted in the filth that was all that remained of this great city of men.  I could hear them breathing, knew suddenly that if I moved, they would pounce.  I stopped struggling.  I shut my eyes tightly and tried not to breathe.

Suddenly caught in a fierce embrace, I struggled.  I tried to get my arms free to pound my attacker and give full reign to my terror and desperation.  The embrace tightened until my bones were in danger of snapping and my lungs struggled for air.

*Surrender.*

He bit me hard on that tender place where shoulder and neck meet.  As I started to scream, I felt his tongue against the bruise and bolted upright in my bed.

I forced myself to move, flew to the window.  Below, it was a typical Manhattan early morning.  Traffic was light, the street quiet but it was a stillness that suggested the slumber of men and women; an instant before the city would burst into noisy, frantic activity.  The street lamps were lit but fading as morning's light grew stronger.  I pressed my forehead against the chilly glass and sobbed with relief.

Finally, fully awake and the terror of the nightmare receding, I was calm enough to wonder about how vivid my dream had been.  It had been Auriel's voice I heard, the one he used for silent communication with me.  But whether he meant to save or harm....  I shook my head.  He had been part of that group of otherworldly creatures, human in form only.  There had been no humanity in their eyes, in their movements nor in their attire - leather and steel, showing hard bodies to their best advantage but meant to also instill fear.

My heart began to beat too quickly and with tremendous effort, I pushed the dream from my mind.  I needed a stiff drink, though my common sense told me herbal tea would be better.  Resolutely, I tried to think about nothing.  I had not been back to my favorite bar since the night I met Auriel there. Part of me recognized how silly and futile this was.  Auriel could find me anytime he pleased.  However, the fact that I had not seen hide nor hair of him over the past few days made me feel safe.  He granted me the illusion of control over this situation.

*Soon.*

I walked to work that morning, looking at everything around me as if I had never truly seen it before.  It was any morning of many New York City mornings I had seen - delivery trucks of all shapes and sizes riding roughshod over potholes like craters left by mortar shells; pedestrians dodging those trucks, vans and irrate motorists of all descriptions; everyone desperate to reach their destinations.  I felt alone with the information I held, lonely and sad as I looked upon the twilight of all that I knew.  It was there for all to see, I thought.  But how many people really want to know that they are dying?  We are not taught to face this simple fact.  We cannot deal with the passing of friends, relatives or contemplate the event for ourselves.  How much more impossible to think of the death of our own society?  Of all that we know?

The autumnal sun struggled over the East River.  I loved lower Manhattan, how the island narrows down so it is possible to see both rivers as they stretch lazily to the sea.  Down here, it's possible to get a glimpse of old New Amsterdam - the remaining wood and brick buildings a far cry from their modern chrome and steel siblings in Midtown.  I took a moment to stand still in the midst of people intent on reaching their places of work.  It slowly came to me how quiet Wall Street seemed now.  The number of people headed for work in shops, in restaurants or in offices, seemed a fraction of what it once was.  I shivered.  The morning light was weak, the sun's rays unsuccessful in chasing the chill from my soul.  I hurried to the office knowing I would be able to shake this melancholy, surrounded by workmates blissfully ignorant of what awaited them.
<><><><><>

"You look like crap," were the first words out of Kipp's mouth as I made myself comfortable at the table.

We'd agreed to meet for lunch.  She was the one good friend I had left, our friendship spanning so many years, it was difficult to remember how life had been without her.  Just as I knew everything about her - every hope, fear, triumph and failure - so she knew all these things about me.  There was one thing I decided not to share with her.  I decided not to tell her anything about Auriel.

"Thanks, Kipp.  It's good to see you too."

"So what's up?  Not getting enough sleep?  At our age, sleep is essential.  You'll begin to look old before your time if you don't get enough!"

"Actually, I have a toy boy now who is keeping me awake until all hours of the morning.  He's insatiable!"

Was this joke a little too close to the truth?  I couldn't understand why I had made it.  Kipp only laughed.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

I smiled and shook my head.  "There's nothing to tell."

Then I snickered.  The image of Auriel as a toy boy suddenly unbearably ironic.  Between the two of us, if anyone was the toy, it was me.

Kipp shot me a curious look but did not comment.  We chatted about the menu, decided on mineral water and large leafy salads, then prepared to enter our own world, effectively shutting out the rest of the lunch crowd around us.

"Been hanging out in that little bar of yours too much, I think," she commented at one point.  "When's the last time you spoke to the kids?"

I shrugged, then raised my eyebrows at her.  "Probably the last time you spoke to yours."

 Kipp chuckled.  "Yes, well.  I don't love my little bastards like you love yours."

"You do.  You just wish I didn't know it, that's all."

We laughed.  She quieted too quickly.

 "You're always dangerous when you withdraw like this."

"Whatever do you mean, Kipp!?"

"You're like you used to be when we first met.  Closed, like you've turned your gaze inward."

I rolled my eyes up then looked at her, bristling.  "All this from twenty minutes of lunch?!  Too bad there's not a couch around."

"Don't get bitchy.  It's not just twenty minutes of lunch and you know it.  This is from *knowing* you, kiddo.  Maybe you need to really talk to someone."

And just what good that would do, I already knew.  But Kipp was only trying to help, was only concerned for a good friend.  She knew I had no one else and it made her bold sometimes - as if she needed an excuse to let me know exactly what was on her mind!

"You're the only one I have, Kipp."

The truth of those words hit me suddenly and I had to fight the strong urge to confess everything.  Why did I keep the events of that rainy night and last night's dream from her?  Protection, I thought and couldn't definitely say which of us I protected.

"Well then, I suppose you'll tell me in your own good time," she acquiesced.

Salads arrived.  We ate with gusto and talked about inconsequential things.    The preoccupation of the past few days fell away from me like disgarding old clothes.  Kipp suddenly paused mid-sentence and, a feeling of dread creeping over me, I realised there was a distinct drop in the noise level of the busy establishment.  Kipp's eyes grew round as saucers and she leaned forward as if to confide something to me.  I leaned towards her, prepared to hear it when she abruptly sat back in her chair and a hand, a familiar touch, was upon my shoulder.

"Hello Ish," he said.

Auriel took advantage of my surprise, kissed me on the mouth, lingering, suggesting something more than friendship with this action.  He left me breathless.  I drank him in.  He wore no makeup.  His abundant hair was loose and fell over us as he leaned over me.  He wore soft brown leather, the colour of luxurious chocolate which made him feminine and approachable.  I knew everyone in the restaurant could hear my heart beating.  Certainly, every eye was upon him.  I forced myself to look at Kipp.

She was mesmerized and Auriel knew it.  He sat down and taking the fork from my hand, helped himself to my salad.

*Introduce me to your friend.*

His eyes shone.

"Ummm, Kipp.  This is Auriel."

 

I desperately wished I had not made that quip about the toy boy.  I was the wrong shade for blushing but could feel my face on fire nevertheless.  Auriel smiled seductively at me:  of course he knew exactly how I felt at the moment.

"Ishmaela, you have been keeping secrets," Kipp chided.

I shrugged helplessly and attempted to retrieve my fork from Auriel's hand.  He chuckled and grabbed my wrist, kept the fork out of my reach and then stuffed more greens into his mouth.

"Auriel is not a secret," I replied, giving up on my salad.  "We hardly know each other."

*Liar.*

The look on Kipp's face told me plainly that she did not believe me for a second.  I sat back in my chair, resigning myself to a situation out of my control.

"Hello, Kipp," Auriel smiled after he had made certain he controlled the salad.

 "Hello, Auriel."

"What are you doing here?"  I asked him, afraid of the answer I would receive.

"I decided I'd spent enough time without you.  I just wanted to see you."

Kipp leaned on her elbow, her salad forgotten.  She watched us with a little too much interest.  I had the impression of her putting many things together and coming up with an answer too close to the truth.

 How the hell did he find me?

*You know the answer to that.*

I was suddenly glad I had not asked the question aloud.

"Take the afternoon off," he said, leaning close to me.  "Come play with me."

 "Auriel!  I'll do no such thing."

But my heart soared and I felt twenty years fall off my age.  Kipp's face had become carefully blank and I felt a little stab of regret.  I wanted her to like him.  I found it almost impossible to believe that she did not.  Did she like him too much?

"If you won't play with me this afternoon, we must meet this evening," he said.  He relinquished my fork then turned to Kipp.  "Would you like to come as well, Kipp?  I think Ish is still not quite certain of me."

Kipp looked at me and I saw her uncertainty.  Finally, she bluntly asked, "Do you want company this evening?"

"Don't be stupid, Kipp.  Auriel would not have asked if we didn't want you along."

How did I know *that?*  But my seducer was beaming at me with approval.  He leaned back in his chair and gathered his hair over a shoulder, absentmindedly running his fingers through it.  I glanced at Kipp.  She was trying not to stare at Auriel.  She shook herself then smiled at me.

 "I wouldn't miss this for the world," she said.
<><><><><>

By the time I arrived home, I knew I was on sensory overload.  I had slipped into that frame of mind that made me seriously question my sanity and everything I was doing since moving back to the City.  The outcome of lunch with Kipp did not help my mood.  I would have preferred not to have to explain Auriel to my best friend.

 And just how could I explain him?  We had formalised plans for later that evening and when she left me to return to her office building, Kipp had been unusually subdued.  Auriel, as I knew he would, walked me to my office building.  Seeing him in the light of day, watching the reactions he received from passers-by, the conflicting emotions warring within me, it is impossible for me to adequately describe any of it.  Pride that I was on his arm, excitement and dread that we would be going out that evening and running through this emotional jumble was a thread of caution, pulsing with my heartbeat.  As I entered my apartment building, I regretted how easily I'd agreed to Auriel's mad scheme for tonight. 

What could he have in mind?  I thought about clubs full of young people and music that would be much too loud and smiled.  Auriel beside me would undoubtedly give me the courage I needed to brave such places.  But not this evening.  This evening I need solitude.  This evening, I needed to think about the direction I suddenly seemed to have taken.

It was quite a shock to walk into my apartment and find Auriel there.  He smiled when he saw me.

"Geez!  You scared me to death.  How the hell did you get in here?"

 "Don't ask questions that you really don't want answered," he replied.

I was suddenly aware of a large duffel sack in the corner of the room.  He was dressed in a blue silk dressing gown that hung, shimmering, to the floor.  Embroidered upon it was a dragon motif.  His dark, thick hair had been carelessly twisted up.  Stray strands artfully escaped.  He was breathtaking.

 "We've got plenty of time to relax," he murmured.

He came towards me and took my bags.  He peeled off my jacket and it was as if the hassles of the day were discarded with it.  The lights were dim, two large fat candles burned on my coffee table.  They transformed the room:  my fortress had been taken, had fallen and been altered irrevocably.  Auriel took my hand and led me to the sofa.  I plopped down with a sigh and closed my eyes.  I could feel his warmth, his satisfaction as if they were my own.  Off came my shoes and white wine, just the right temperature, was pressed into my hand.

 "I don't know what you think you're doing, but this is...."

"Wonderful?  Marvelous?  Something you've been too long without?  We're going to finish our wine slowly.  Then, I'm going to make supper.    Then, when Kipp comes, we will go out."

"About going out this evening," I began.  "Can't we make it another night?"

He seemed to consider for a second but then shook his head.  "No.  It's got to be this evening."

"Why?" Suspicion crept over me.

Auriel only chuckled.  He sat his glass on the coffee table and reached across and took mine.  It joined his on the table and then his arms were around me.

I knew he was naked beneath his dressing gown but I was still unprepared for my hands to meet flesh that was so smooth, so clear and unblemished.  The feel of it was like the silk he wore.  I ran my hands over it as if I could not get enough and when Auriel finally kissed me, I ignited instantly.  No slow build up of passion but an instant blaze; I was in danger of annihilation merely from his kiss.

He tugged dangerously on my clothing and I understood very clearly that if it was not hastily removed, he would make short work of it.  He watched me undress, the light in his peculiarly blue eyes encouraging me.  I never could imagine myself in this situation, revealing a body upon which  time had left its idle tracings.  Auriel's gaze was strong and desire surged between us, a river whose undertow was certain to claim me.  When I stood naked before him, he discarded his robe and pulled me down to straddle him.  He clasped me to him and stole my breath.  His hands were upon my buttocks, kneading gently and trapped between us was the evidence of his arousal, not too dissimilar to any penis I'd ever seen, long, rigid and thick;  an unusual tip that made me think of a closed, exotic flower.  I was about to find out what would happen when that flower opened inside me.  I wanted him more than I think I'd ever wanted anyone in my life and I looked at him, wondered if I would see the same lust and longing in his eyes.

But they were closed, his head turned to the side and his mouth slightly open.  He grunted softly and shifted his hips; brought his strange flower to me who was eager and wet.  I thought perhaps I could do this forever, do nothing else but lie with him as he rocked slowly, steadily, rubbing my clitoris so that my pleasure increased with his own.  He grew inside me, filling me completely until a rumbling started at my very centre, then shot like pyroclastic flow over every nerve I possessed.  The flower opened and spilled its seed deep inside me, a feeling unlike anything I'd ever experienced with other lovers.  I began to weep for the virgin I once was, for the experience of the magic and mystery of this act.  Could I never see it before?  Before Auriel, I never believed in this power:  I was blind and ignorant.  Now, having seen, now knowing, I would never be the same.  No man would ever touch me again.

I did not want Auriel to know this nor to see my tears.  I moved to leave him, to put distance between us but his arms came around me, keeping our connection and drawing me closer.  I was stiff and awkward in his arms, trying desperately not to cry.  He was silent as he rubbed my back.  I could feel him semi-hard within me but his thoughts he was keeping to himself.

 "I'm sorry, Auriel."

"Why?"

"I don't mean to cry.  I don't like crying, really...."

I could feel him smiling.  "It's okay.  Tears are therapeutic, you know.  I think you are crying because you are unsure how else to react to me."

"You!?  It has nothing to do with you."

"Doesn't it?" he murmured and began rocking his hips again.

Instantly my body responded, the feel of Auriel effectively banishing all other emotions and sensation.

Afterwards, I was sated, lazy and disinclined to move off the lithe, strong body beneath me.  Auriel lay there, reminding me of a great wild cat in his contentment.  His eyes were closed, the dark lashed long and stark against his pale cheeks.  I could not get used to his unusual beauty.  If his penis had not been buried still in me, I could almost think I looked upon a dosing woman, radiant in her repose.

Blue velvet eyes were suddenly upon me and Auriel gave me a gentle but firm push.  I protested.

 *Lazy, greedy girl!*  he chided.  *Kipp will soon be here and we've had no supper.*

Fuck Kipp I wanted to say, wanted only to hold him closer.

 *You wouldn't like me to fuck Kipp.  I think you are the jealous type.*

I was up in a flash. The arrogance!  And it was disconcerting when he did that.  I was suddenly aware of the state I was in, sweaty, sticky and wet - and delighting in the feel of it, the smell of our sex throughout my small apartment.  Auriel had slipped on his silk robe and gone to his duffel bag.  From it, he pulled a dressing gown much like his own except its colour was red.  He handed it to me and made his way into my small kitchen.

The meal was mostly for me, served on my coffee table, the candles our only illumination.  Auriel picked off my plate and smoked thin brown cigarettes, tossing his head back to blow smoke at my ceiling.  I ate and watched him and once again marveled at his grace.  Terrifying.  I knew nothing about him yet could feel how he was stealing my soul, bit by bit.

"Those things will kill you," I told him between mouthfuls.

He laughed.  "No.  My body is not quite like yours.  I could smoke these things forever - probably will - and no ill effects will befall me."

"Auriel, are you ever going to tell me anything about yourself?"

"What would you like to know?"

"Where the hell you come from would be a start."

 "I come from here.  There's no great mystery...."

"Well, not much of one anyway," I couldn't help the sarcasm.

He laughed.  "Ish, it's just easier if I show you.  You will come to understand all in time.  Right now, just be glad you have me.  I'll be useful to you soon."

"This is suppose to make me feel better?" I grinned.  "You have a nasty habit of speaking in riddles, Rie."

He raised an eyebrow at me.  "Only those closest to me use that name.  Seems you picked it up during our lovemaking.  I didn't think I'd chosen unwisely."

Hell.  What else was I likely to pick up?  My fingers shook as I put my fork down and reached for my wine.  I was uncertain that any more supper would go down.  Auriel leaned towards me and kissed me softly.

 *You are so afraid of everything!  And I am not what should frighten you....*

But I knew this or at least some part of me did.  I looked at Auriel and it was suddenly very clear:  I was looking at the future.

 I hastily did the washing up.  Auriel coaxed me into the shower with him and once again we joined.  I wasn't certain how I could ever leave my apartment, how I could ever do anything but lie down and allow him to give me endless pleasure.

What came out of his sack left me speechless.  More cosmetics than I ever possessed or ever hoped to possess; black leather pants, matching jacket and a black rough silk shirt.  He dressed quickly, the speed making me think he dressed carelessly until I beheld the effect.  He smiled, knowing exactly my state of mind and the state of my estrogen level.  I was also panicking.  There was nothing so devastating in my modest wardrobe.

"I snooped earlier," he confessed.  "Look what I have for you."

Out of the sack came a little black dress; completely plain, certain to be stylishly just above my knees, form fitting but not too snug, sleeveless with a zip up the back.  Sequenced evening jacket and black shoes, with ankle straps and heels which were not too high; it was the perfect outfit.  I shook my head and laughed.

"*Where* did you get this and *how* did you know?!  Wait.  I know.  Don't ask questions you really don't want answered."

I couldn't accept them.  It was all too much.

 *But you will.  Try them.  Then, I'll do your makeup."

I dressed and he brushed his hair until it shone.  He applied his own makeup, kohl to emphasize his startling eyes; eyeshadow in shades of deep blues and sable to make them that much more mysterious.  Red lipstick completed the effect and when he came to me, ready to apply my own, I could only stare at the transformation.

Ignoring my gawking, he tilted his head in appraisal of my attire.  Then he looked me in the eye and smiled warmly.  I felt weak in the knees. 

"Let's put on a bit of makeup and then, you can take a look at yourself."

When he was finished, I did not know the woman who looked back at me from my mirror.  It had been too long since I had seen her and I thought she was gone forever.  I was glowing and something told me it was more than these new clothes and the makeup that was responsible.  Something was beating in my chest, demanding to be let out.  I felt wild and out of control and suddenly I knew I couldn't step out my front door.  But there was a buzz that signalled Kipp's arrival.  I looked at Auriel and I wondered if he could hear the frantic, erratic thumping of my heart.  His face was serious:  I could not feel his thoughts.  His long fingers closed around the back of my neck, kneaded a little roughly then he kissed me quickly, softly.  I shouted to Kipp over the intercom that we'd be right down and we left the apartment.
<><><><><>

 "Your females become you, Auriel."

His voice was not loud but seemed to fill our little corner of this large, dark, throbbing space.  I looked quickly at Auriel.  There might have been a flicker of amusement in his eyes but except for that, his face betrayed nothing. 

"Jealous, Adamnae?"

 

 "Hardly.  I've neither the time nor the inclination for such dalliances."

I couldn't help staring at Adamnae and if he was aware of it, he ignored it.  He was beautiful, like all his kind.  His hair, long and thick, an unusual shade that seemed caught between dark blond and light brown, was held back from his face by a long brilliantly coloured silk scarf.  Adamnae was dressed in flowing earth coloured cottons.  I looked at him and saw images of the dessert, of beautiful women and fierce warriors:  he was all of these things.  Adamnae turned a haughty gaze upon me and blinked.  In that instant, some sort of recognition, a grudging respect, passed between us.

Auriel laughed.  "You're such a liar.  A good one - but a liar nonetheless.  This is Ish and this is Kipp."

Auriel stood behind us and as he finished the introduction, I was surprised when his arms came around my shoulders, pulling me firmly against him.  Adamnae smiled:  message received.  He fixed us with large eyes that looked black in the light.

"When you tire of this little game, you know where I'll be," he said and turned and walked off.

"Shit," Kipp breathed. 

"Indeed," Auriel mused.  "I've never seen Adamnae quite like that.  I think you have him worried, Ish."

Why I should worry such a creature was beyond me.  I looked at Kipp.  She was dressed in wool trousers and white cotton shirt.  She had discarded her wool sweater, for this club we were in was packed to capacity.  I felt overdressed and ridiculous next to her - sensible Kipp.  Dressed to blend into the black walls, remain faceless amongst this teaming horde.  As far as I could see, there were no men here.  The creatures all around me were dressed as Adamnae or as Auriel with all manner of dress between.  But they were definitely not men.  They were just as definitely not women. 

Those nearest us watched with covert interest.  Auriel, upon arriving had made his way to a certain table near the pulsing dance floor.  The table had been vacated as soon as Auriel was seen.  There was something familiar about this, something I knew I should remember but the music, the flashing lights, the disorientation caused by being surrounded by the unexplained caused me to let the feeling go.  I was grateful for the chair and hoped now that everyone would get back to their clubbing and forget my existence.

"What the hell is this place?" Kipp shouted to me.

Damned if I know, I wanted to tell her but I had caught sight of Adamnae a few tables away and he was staring at our little party, the lack of expression on his face making me uncomfortable.  Auriel's attention was elsewhere.  He talked to a person he did not bother to introduce and I had the distinct impression it was not idle conversation.

"Have you met any of these people before?" Kipp persisted.

I shook my head, not trusting my voice.  My pulse was racing, my thoughts in a frenzy.  The dance floor mesmerized me, the sensuality unlike anything I had ever seen.  Kipp grew quiet at my side as she too became enthralled at the abandon with which the dancers moved, so suggestive whether with partners or alone.

Kipp stood suddenly.  "Come on, Ishmaela.  I can't sit here and watch this.  I'll explode into pieces in a minute!  Dance with me."

 "Are you mad?" I squeaked.  "Look at them out there!  I can't ..."

"I know for a fact that you can and do you *really* think *anyone* dancing out there will be paying us a blind bit of notice?"

Kipp's eyes sparkled.  I had not seen her like this in a very long time - glowing, swept up in her enjoyment of this very strange club.  How could I refuse her?  She was beautiful, I thought - and not for the first time.  She was flushed with heat and excitement.  Her hair, loose and curling, fell about her face and shoulders.  She let the dancers around her guide her, trying their moves and laughing at her attempts.  Her mood was contagious and soon, I had my hands upon her full, round hips, wanting to draw her to me.

A slim hand was suddenly upon my hand and I looked up hastily, shocked to find Adamnae beside me with an unmistakable expression in his eye.  Kipp froze.  Something made me step away, even as I knew I should wait for Kipp's reaction to this interruption.  But my feet were taking me back to our table where Auriel looked up at me and smiled quickly.

*Don't worry.*

He sent such calm, such certainty, that I tried to relax.  I looked back at the dance floor.  Kipp and Adamnae moved as one, so close, I could not tell where one ended and the other began.  Oh Kipp, I thought, you don't know what you have started.

*And do you?*

I looked at Auriel.  He was surrounded now by a small group, all leather clad, a hardness about them that only slowly became apparent to me.  I wanted him near me.  I wanted to feel his touch.  I was growing more and more uncomfortable with how the evening was progressing.  I knew he felt my concern but he did not react immediately.  Soon I noticed the little group dissipating until only one young man was with Auriel.  He threw himself into a chair and turned his attention to the activity around us.  Auriel moved to my side.  He placed his hand on my knee, rubbed a little before traveling up my exposed thigh.  I grabbed that dangerous hand and he laughed softly before leaning forward to kiss me soundly.  Everything around me disappeared and there was only him and his mouth, stopping thought, stopping breath.  Auriel broke the kiss and stood, pulling me to my feet.  I was back on the dance floor before I realised it.

With Kipp and Adamnae beside us, we danced and danced, track after track until I lost count and was absorbed by the unvarying beat.  Reality only intruded when I noticed Kipp, with a smile and a limp wave of her hand, indicating that she had had enough.  She turned to make her way to our table but Adamnae reached out quickly and stopped her.  He pulled her towards his table and I slowed my movements to gauge her reaction.  I knew immediately that they were communicating and I wondered if she could hear him as clearly as I heard Auriel.  She turned then and smiled briefly at me before allowing Adamnae to lead her off.

I leaned close to Auriel.  "What the hell is going on?  Adamnae was an arrogant bastard to us just awhile a go and now, he can barely wait to get into Kipp's pants."

"Adamnae usually means exactly the opposite of what he says.  I thought Kipp would strike his fancy."

I felt Auriel's amusement.  I remembered his assurances a while ago but I was still uncertain about Adamnae.  He seemed to hate us on sight.

 *No.  He doesn't hate you.  He was trying to get to me.*

I could feel my face getting hot and it had nothing to do with my recent exertion.

"What do you mean?"  I demanded, regretting how I sounded but unable to control it.

Something slow was now playing and the dance floor had emptied considerably.  Auriel pulled me to him and began to nibble my neck.  I did not want to be distracted, but could feel my jealousy seeping out of me as he nibbled and licked.  Not here:  not here!  I was in danger of coming completely undone.  Those treacherous hands travelled lower, cupped my buttocks, holding me in place as he ground against me.

Just as my vision was beginning to blur, Auriel eased his assault and murmured in my ear, "Do you listen to anything I tell you?  Never ask questions you really don't want answered."

 Then he put his cheek against mine with a sigh and I felt him relax completely.

We were jolted out of our contentment by sounds loud enough to be heard over the slow track being played.  A scream was instantly followed by the sounds of a scuffle.  Auriel released me immediately and disappeared in the direction of the ruckus.  I stood where I was, confused for a second until I realised that one corner of the club had erupted.  Those closest to me  were standing about uncertainly but near Adamnae's table, I could only see struggling bodies and no sign of Kipp.

Arms were around me and I looked into an unfamiliar face.

"I'm to get you out of here!" he shouted and I recognised the young man who had shared our table and talked at length with Auriel.  Where was he?  Where was Kipp?

"I can't go without Kipp!"

He looked worried for a second and seemed to consider the options.  Suddenly making up his mind, he grabbed my arm and started towards an exit.  A change was coming over the crowd and I could almost taste the anger in the atmosphere.

 "What's going on?"  I demanded, trying to pull free of him.

"Outsiders.  It could get very nasty for them.  Look, Auriel wants you out of here and that's what we're going to do."

"Get Kipp and I'll go.  I'll wait for you at this exit.  Hurry.  We don't have time to argue about this!"

He cursed, but released me and walked, unafraid into an increasingly agitated crowd, towards the brawl.  I suddenly saw Kipp, her back to me, backing out of the fray with a hand over her mouth.  Luck was with us, for my guardian caught sight of her and grabbed her.  Kipp hysterically fought him for a minute before suddenly going limp.  Then, with Kipp half stumbling, my guardian half carrying her, they made their way to me.  Wordlessly, quickly, we made our escape into the cool evening.

It was very early morning, a time when if it never sleeps, the city doses.  Traffic was so light as to be nonexistent and we drove much too quickly, heading downtown.  My silent, angry guardian sped through yellow and red lights in his quick gray sports car.  I have no head for cars and looking at this boy's face, I did not dare ask him any questions about the vehicle.  Perhaps Auriel's advice about questions was finally sinking in.  Kipp had begun to sob in the back seat and I knew I had to ask her what she had seen.  I was frantic with worry about Auriel, frantic about the state Kipp was in.  I could not feel Auriel's thoughts and wondered if Kipp could feel Adamnae's.

Finally I said, "Kipp.  Stop crying and tell me what you saw."

I turned a bit so that I could see her.  She wiped at her cheeks and took a breath.  I forced myself not to think about what she might say. 

"They never had a chance.  I don't know what they were doing there in the first place.  Who the hell let them in!?"

"Wanna start from the beginning?"

She pressed herself into the leather seat and stared at the passing city scenes as if she'd never seen them before.  There was a blankness in her eyes that frightened me.

 "No.  Not now.  I need a drink.  I need to go home.  Take me home, Ishmaela."

"Kipp, is Adamnae all right?"

Our driver chuckled.  It was a sound so incongruous with our mood that we could only look at him, our mouths open in disbelief.  He spared us a glance then turned back to the near empty city street.

"Ish, don't worry about Auriel or Adamnae," he said, his voice strong.  "Tell me now if you really want Kipp to go home alone."

"Yes, damn it!" Kipp snapped.  Then she sighed, "I want to go home.  I've had quite enough excitement for one evening thank you!  This'll teach me to go clubbing with strange people I meet at lunch time!"

"I'm not sure this is a good idea, Kipp.  I think you've had a shock.  You don't even want to tell me about it."

 "Later, Ishmaela.  I'll call you tomorrow.  I'm okay now, really."  She turned her attention back to the window.  "Hell," I heard her mutter, "they should have known better.  Men are so stupid sometimes..."

Then she gave our driver her address.  In no time we pulled up before her apartment building.  We watched her enter before speeding off, headed further downtown to my home.
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Soft light suffused my room and I wondered vaguely about the time.  The city seemed quiet, the sounds of the street reaching me as if over great distances.  What day was it?  Had I really agreed to go clubbing in the middle of the week, knowing I had to be semi-coherent the next morning?  I laughed softly.  A week ago, it would have never, in a million years, occurred to me to do such a thing.

There was a touch upon my thigh, firm stroking upwards towards my secret spot.  I opened my legs, encouraging him and I heard him sigh as he moved closer to me.  He half covered me, threw a leg over my leg nearest him and pulled.  As I spread my legs further, his other hand reached for one of breasts and I moaned quietly in appreciation of his touch; prepared to surrender to the climax that was steadily building.  There was something I was forgetting and it came to me slowly.  I wormed a hand between us, looking for that exotic stalk that had given me so much pleasure last night.  I didn't find it.  Instead, Auriel's hand guided my searching fingers to an opening in his body that was so like my own.  I slipped a finger inside him without hesitation.  I always knew he could be like this and yet to experience his female side...  I withdrew my finger and brought it to my mouth.  His taste was exquisite.

Auriel brought my hand back down between his legs and I sought to return my finger to his warm wetness but he stopped me.  He guided my hand a little higher and there, my palm rubbed against a familiar shape.  It was as if his penis had withdrawn into his body, leaving only its very tip exposed.  As my fingers explored gently, this small flower opened and I knew if I teased the little nub inside, in seconds Auriel would be incoherent from the pleasure.

Before I could begin, he grabbed my hands and held them above my head.  He straddled me, his legs on either side of mine, then pressed into my body.  He slowly gyrated, taking care that his little bud never lost contact with my clitoris.  As everything in my body began to short circuit, my entire existence coming down to the point where Auriel and I performed magic, he fastened onto my neck, bit me hard and when his tongue replaced his teeth on the tender spot he had made, I exploded, gave myself up to oblivion as his essence flowed over me to mingle with my own.

A little while later we lay dozing and I began to stroke his hair as he lay in my arms.

"Auriel, what happened last night at the club?" I asked softly.

He stirred and I felt his reluctance to speak about it.

"Kipp didn't tell you?"

"No.  She was too upset."

"Yes," he murmured.  "It's most unfortunate Kipp had to witness what she did."

"Are you going to tell me?"

 He sighed and I felt a flicker of impatience.  I refused to be daunted and tried to keep my thoughts to myself.  I had no idea what I could and could not keep from him.  I suspected that if he really wanted to know what I was thinking, he could.

"Ish, there were outsiders in the club last night...."

"You mean men."

"Yes," he said shortly.  "Every once and awhile, the guards at the doors let them in.  They amuse us sometimes.  Occasionally, one of us might take one of them."

"Like you've taken me."  Even as I said it, I was not certain how I felt about it.

"Not exactly as I've taken you.  No." He began to stroke my arm.  "Last night was different.  I don't know why those people were allowed in but it was obvious, as soon as I saw them, that they would only make trouble.  One of them said the wrong thing to Adamnae, tried to put his hands upon Kipp and ...."

I felt a little shrug and I looked into his serious face.

Auriel continued, "Certain people make certain assumptions about us.  They look and they see we are beautiful.  We are often perceived as feminine.  Sometimes that is a good thing.  Other times, it is the last mistake you make in this life."

 He closed his eyes and, keeping his thoughts from me, would say no more.
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